I grew up at my Home for over 40 years. Later, the area we lived in became a commercial area, with high-rise apartments being built in the same street and a shopping Mall around the corner.
With a lot of contemplation, patience and reluctance, as a family, we decided to look for another house that we could move in. We spent three years looking for a plot that would be in a quiet area, and also affordable.
Finally, I built a house, and enjoyed planning, working closely with the architect, and contractors. We occupied the house after a religious ceremony.
After moving to the new house, it seemed more convenient. Every part of the house looked too big, with 4 levels to cover. It takes a lot of maintenance, Housekeeping, gardening, and Irrigation systems to water all plants, a library etc.
The design was obviously impressive, and the execution was OK.
At our old house, the culture was informal, with unannounced visitors. It was fun, the different age groups getting together and doing something.
We would frequently go out on short trips, to a nearby attraction, planned trips -along with our neighbours.
We would all visit each other’s homes quite freely. It was the ideal neighbourhood. Lots of families visited each other, and the spontaneity in every interaction was very much part of being in the neighbourhood.
Festival days, with every home being decorated with lights and a display of dolls and other things.
Groups of children completed the race to see and worship 108 Ganeshas. it was fun and festive.
The new neighbourhood is mostly self-contained, with minimal interaction, no casual conversations, and with meetings that are formal and rare. Every family to themselves.
For me, my old house is still the “Home” and always feels special, the new house is just another house. Many of you may understand the sentiments and the special emotional connection to where we spent our younger days; with Family, friends, and festivities.
Change is inevitable, and we all try our best to develop similar sentiments wherever we relocate. But ‘Home” will always have a special place in our hearts!
